Vantage Credit Union (Bridgeton, Mo.) and PSCU are pleased to announce Denise Stevens has been named Vantage Credit Union's new executive vice president (EVP) of Innovation, Payments and e-channel effective July 8, 2013. Currently, Stevens holds the title of vice president of Innovation and Product Development at PSCU.

With over 15 years of experience, Stevens has a unique set of skills with in-depth knowledge of both the issuing and acquiring sides of the payments industry.

Mike Kelly, PSCU’s president and CEO, spoke about the announcement. “We all succeed through strong partnerships like the relationship we have with Vantage, and all the better to have PSCU alumni at our Member-Owners,” he says. “I suspect Denise can have an even bigger impact on our two organizations and the industry from her position at Vantage. We are relentless about pursuing new ways to make credit unions relevant. Denise will immediately join PSCU’s Product Advisory Group and bring our innovations through Vantage Credit Union to its membership.”

Vantage Credit Union's President and CEO Eric Acree welcomes her. “I am very excited for Denise to join our executive leadership team in July and to continue our credit union’s strong, ongoing partnership with PSCU,” comments Acree. “We are passionate about delivering innovative and emerging payment solutions to our members and Denise can help us achieve that vision. She will drive our innovation efforts to help us elevate our e-channel performance by providing unique and attractive capabilities for our membership.”

Originally from the St. Louis region, Stevens is looking forward to being back in the area full time. Her prior experience includes MasterCard, FIS and Chase Paymentech. In her new position she will be responsible for driving new, exciting, innovative products and features within the payments and e-channel areas of Vantage. With her expertise, the credit union hopes to make its offerings more attractive and relevant for its members by updating and enhancing its capabilities.

Tom Gandre, EVP of PSCU, spoke highly of Stevens’ commitment to the industry and the strengths she will bring to the table.

"Denise has been a tremendous asset to PSCU and our Member-Owner Credit Unions,” says Gandre. “During her tenure, Denise formed and led the company’s Innovation team, enabling PSCU to be the first CUSO to offer Google Wallet to credit unions; established PSCU’s annual hack-a-thon, making PSCU one of the first in the financial services industry to host that type of event; and implemented a widely successful ideation tool that is used throughout our company and Member-Owner credit unions.”